VSU Visionary: Myles Grier

Myles Grier dreams big. The faithful, ambitious and creative May
graduate plans to become a major film actor and start his own
fashion line. He hopes to someday return to VSU as a Distinguished
Alumnus of the Year.

“I was always an energetic child,” said Grier, who graduated with a
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre Performance. “My
grandmother would always say that I was photogenic and should be on
the television. In middle school, I decided to join the drama club
after having a conversation with my parents about what I want to do
in life. Acting is what I chose to do, so I started doing plays and
never stopped.”

His passion grew, as did his talents. The native of Stone Mountain,
Ga., honed his skills at the Dekalb School of the Arts before
enrolling at Valdosta State. His favorite role was learning to
sword fight as Benvolio in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, and
his most challenging role was adopting the mannerisms of
60-year-old Whining Boy in August Wilson’s “The Piano
Lesson.”

“My strengths as an actor are my facial expressions, method acting
with past memories, and using charm and style,” said Grier, who
performed in eight VSU plays and a variety of student films. “I’m
able to show how I’m feeling and let it come through naturally,
which is something plenty of actors have a problem with. To come
off natural and real to the audience, isn’t an easy thing.”

Everyday is different as an actor, Grier said. He loves the lack of
routine and ability to step into new worlds and personalities.
Grier plans to pursue acting and modeling opportunities in Atlanta
as he prepares to move to Los Angeles, Calif. later this year to
test the waters of film and television. He wants to continue to
grow his web-based company Dreamster Organization, LLC, www.dreamsterorganization.com,
through which he creates professional websites for entertainers
artists.

“My hope, faith and determination separate me from other people
trying to make it in this business,” said Grier, who also enjoys
drawing, singing and web design. “Actors can be some of the laziest
people you’re going to meet, except the good ones. It really takes
more than thinking you have talent to be an actor. It’s show
business, but I call it ‘business show’ because the business side
comes first. You have to be the kind of person, people want to work
with and be organized in your own life. Laziness will kill an actor
because you have to always be prepared for the opportunity as it
comes.”

Grier’s parents and siblings are his greatest supporters. Older
brother, Michael, who graduated from Georgia Institute of
Technology with a degree in Building Construction, and his two
younger siblings, 12-year-old twins Nick and Nicole, cheer him on
as he grows as an actor, model and writer. Parents Michael and
Derry Grier keep him grounded as they remind him of his humble
roots and the importance of living for others.

Read about and see more of Grier at www.MylesGrier.com or watch him
online at
www.youtube.com/mylsgrr04 .

University career highlights:
Becoming the only freshman resident assistant in the spring of
2008.
Being an orientation leader in 2008.
Becoming a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. fall of
2008
Being cast in eight plays and multiple mass media student films at
Valdosta State.
Giving tours at Visitation Days.
Being a part of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Society and the
organization’s To Be Named Later (TBNL) improve troupe.
Being cast in Valdosta State’s promo commercials and the host of
the Campus Life Virtual Tour introduction.

I chose to attend VSU because… I refused to go out of state and pay
those out of state fees. When I was searching for a great theatre
program, Valdosta State University had more to offer with the
beauty of the campus and being cheaper than other schools. It was
actually my first choice over Morehouse College and Columbus State
University, and I was accepted into both. The great theatre and
dance area is the reason I ultimately chose VSU.

My favorite things to do on campus are… I enjoyed giving tours for
visitation day and also tours for friends, family or friends of
friends. A few times, random families asked me where they could get
a tour on the weekends, and I would volunteer to do it, and they
love it.

When I have free time, I like… to relax. I did so much while on
campus from being a resident assistant, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc. and a theatre major -- three things that require
so much time and dedication out of your life. They taught me how to
manage my time, but when I had free time, it was nap time or time
for studying my favorite actors and movies.

My favorite place to study is… my room.

The most exciting thing I’ve done is… shoot at a gun range in Las
Vegas, NV. I shot my first AK-47 machine gun, which was exciting
for me.

My favorite professor was…. a combination of all the professors in
the theatre and dance area because they treat us like family. I
feel I can walk away and call them my friends. Outside of theatre,
my favorite professor was Dr. Richards in the anthropology
department. He has always supported me in my acting ever since I
took his class my freshman year. It’s always nice to talk to
him.

My favorite class was… probably Jazz Dance I because it helped get
me fit. I like to dance and it was fun with my classmates.

If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it
with… I already share most afternoons with my woman friend
La-Keasha Brown, but if I need to choose someone different, I’d
share a day with Rob Dyrdek from MTV’s “Fantasy Factory” and “Rob
& Big.” He’s a true businessman and an example of someone who
owns and does as much as I want to own and do. I’m sure I could
learn a lot from him.

If I knew I could not fail, I would… start a foundation that gives
financial support to families with a child who has sickle cell
disease and no health insurance.

I chose my major/career because… I love acting. It’s fun, something
different for me everyday, and I never get bored with it.

The three words that best describe me are… faithful, ambitious and
creative.

Growing up, the person I looked up to the most was… my father. He
has taught me so much and is the reason why I think the way I do
about a lot of things in life.

The thing that I will miss the most about college is… not having to
pay debt! But in reality, just being able to go anywhere VSU
related and know I will know someone and have so much to do.

The one VSU experience I will always remember is… being an
orientation leader and going to the Southern Region Orientation
Workshops conference (SROW). The summer of 2008, when I was an
orientation leader, was fun because of my teammates and the early
mornings meetings with all of the students.

After graduation, I plan to… continue acting in Atlanta, Ga., and
moving out to Los Angeles, Calif., later this year. I plan to keep
active with acting so I can continue to network and build a support
base, which will result in networks and casting directors wanting
me to do their projects because I’m bringing a fan base to it as
well.

Some of my long-term goals are… to be considered one of the
greatest actors that other actors look up to; to own my own fashion
line; and to be Alumni of the Year one year. I also hope to stay
supportive of the VSU Theatre and Dance Area, and hopefully have a
building or theatre named after me.